Pittsburgh Pirates: MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 Prospects for 2017

# 9, Tyler Glasnow, Right-Handed Pitcher

Last year, Tyler Glasnow ranked as the number eighth overall prospect on MLB Pipeline’s midseason update.  He also was rated as the number three right-handed pitching prospect in baseball, behind, at the time, National’s prospect Lucas Giolito and Cardinal’s prospect Alex Reyes.  This year he jumped ahead of Giolito as the number two right handed pitching prospect, and is ranked as the number nine overall prospect in baseball.  This is after being awarded as the Pitcher of the Year in the minor leagues last season.

2016

Tyler Glasnow made his MLB debut last year, getting inconsistent opportunities to impress.  He was up and down through the end of the season, and also spent time on the disabled list as well.  During his MLB time, he made four starts and appeared in seven total games.  In those seven outings, Tyler Glasnow pitched 23 1/3 innings. In these 23 1/3 innings pitched, he posted a 9.26 K/9, 5.01 BB/9, 0.77 HR/9, and he had a WHIP of 1.50. This led to Glasnow posting a 4.24 ERA, 4.26 FIP, and a 4.57 xFIP.  Glasnow made 22 starts between Double-A and Triple-A last season.  In those starts, Glasnow went 8-3 with a 1.93 earned run average, with 144 strikeouts in 116.2 innings, and limited opposing hitters to a .176 batting average. All in all, he was very dominant in the minor leagues last season, but somewhat mediocre in his MLB debut.

2017

Now some feel Tyler Glasnow may never translate to the big leagues.  With his lack of command, this very well could happen.  However, the overall picture with Glasnow is one to love.  He is big, has a clean delivery, and has the pure stuff you look for in a future ace.  For now, Glasnow needs to continue to learn how to use that pure stuff at the major league level.

Depending on what the Bucs do going forward, Glasnow may or may not start the year in the majors.  If they do not acquire another starter, Glasnow will likely be on the opening day roster.  If the Bucs do acquire a starter, he could start the year in Triple-A, using he isn’t part of a trade.  For now, Glasnow is a Pittsburgh Pirate, and looks to have a ceiling of another big-time arm for the Bucs going forward.